Foot-toe cushion and shield.



0. HARDESTY. FOOT TOE CUSHION AND SHIELD.

APPLICATION FILED 0031.16, 1914.

1,129,670. Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

M5166 1365 fizuezziov cushion and shield 1n which the features of the invention are incorporated. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof,and Fig. 3 is a 1011- our 1 CHAR-LES HARDESTY, OF GLARKSBUBG, WEST VIRGINIA.

FOOT-TOE CUSHIOII AND SHIELD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Ifatented Feb. 23, 191 5.

Application filed October 16, 1914; Serial no. 866,997.

' a specification.

This invention relates 'to an improved foot-toe cushion and shield to be wornwithin the stocking for the purpose of overcoming deformities of the toes and of the foot adjacent thereto and of arrestingthe tendency to malformation of the toes, calli and other foot trouble of like nature.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which may be conveniently fitted in any ordinary shoe and may be conveniently and comfortably used and which, in use, efficiently, certainly and reliably serves the purposes stated.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot toe gitudinal sectional View showing the device as 1n use.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment shown, the device includes a sole piece 1 which may be formed of any suitable material and of'any desired length and which has a transverse cushioning arch or ridge 2 arranged to fit under the toes along the lines where they join the sole and the shown, this arch or ridge is in the form of a fkexible tube. Extending forwardly from t e arch or ridge and at substantially right angles thereto are longitudinal arches or ridges 3 which, in the embodiment shown, are also in the form of flexible tubes and which carry flexible division pieces 4 that fit between the toes. The blades or division pieces 4 may be of any suitable flexible mamaterials may be se terial of the required thinness.

While there is a wide choice of materials from which the various parts of the device maybe made, it is referred that whatever ected should be treated to render them prophylactic. forms an eflicient support for the toes, prejority standin foot. In the embodiment The ridge 2 serving the natural arch thereof, and definitely spacing them from the sole thereby preventing any callous growths or adhesions between the toes and the sole, and holding the toes in the positions which are necessary to their proper growth and to the correction of deformities. v

Uniform support for the toes in the directions of. their length is provided by the ridges 3- which fit under and between the toes and, in connection with the blades 4, tend to hold the toes in alinement with the body of the foot and in straight or natural I directions and to prevent crooking, bending or crowdmg thereof. The blades 4 also serve to prevent calli or adhesions between the toes. I

The improved guard, While directly benefiting the toes or the-fore portion of the foot, benefits the foot as a whole, since the maof foot troubles may be traced to malformation of the toes which, it should be remembered, take the bulk of the weight and pressure in walking.

By the reasonably consistent use of the device for a suitable period of time, mal formed toes will be measurably improved, or where no malformationoriginally exists, it will be effectively prevented, notwiththe tendencies of the footwear to produce mal ormation.

styles 0 device takes up little space in the The shoe and its use entails nodiscomfort or in-- convenience. Having fully claim 1. A foot-toe cushion and shield having a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and to support the toes and having blades projecting longitudinally from said arch or ridge and arranged to fit between the toes. Y

2. A foot-toe cushion and shield having a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit undescribed my invention, I

revailing der the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and a to support the toes, and other arches or ridges projecting longitudinally from said transverse arch or ridge and arranged to fit between-the toes.

3. A foot-toe cushion and shield having a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and to sup ridges proJecting longitudinally from said I transverse arch or ridge and arranged to fit.

port the toes, other arches or 7 ing a sole piece provided with a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes ad acent the sole of the foot and with means extending forwardly and longitudinally tflrom said arch or ridge to fit between the oes.

5. A foot-toe cushion and shield-comprising a sole piece provided'with a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and with other arches or ridges extending forwardl and longitudinally from said arch or ri 'ge to fit between the toes.

6. A. foot-toe cushion and shield comprising a sole piece'provided with a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and with relatively thin blades extending forwardly and longitudinally from said arch or ridgeto fit between the toes.

7. A foot-toe cushion and shield comprising a sole piece provided with a transverse tudinal arches or ridges and projecting up-n wardly therefrom.

8. A foot-toe cushion and shield having a transverse arch or ridge arranged to fit under the toes adjacent the sole of the foot and to support the toes and having means extending forwardly and longitudinally from said arch or ridge to fit between and space the toes. v

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES HARDESTY,

Witnesses JOHN KOBLEGARD,

Jr J OHN J. MoLnon. 

